Electric Vehicle News

The Schiphol airport, Amsterdam’s international airport, announced today that they completed their one-millionth taxi ride this year and an impressive 70% of those rides were done by their large fleet of Tesla vehicles. more…

The post Tesla vehicles have completed 70% of the 1 million taxi rides at Amsterdam airport this year appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Green Deals: 3-pack Etekcity Remote Control Outlets $17, more

Etekcity (99% positive feedback from 232,000) via Amazon offers a three-pack of its Remote Control Outlets for $16.98 shipped. Originally $37, this bundle usually sells for $22 or more at Amazon. If you’re looking to cut-down on energy this winter, consider grabbing a three-pack of Etekcity outlets. The included remote makes it easy to control lights, heaters and more. Rated 4.5/5 stars by over 3,700 Amazon reviewers.

more…

The post Green Deals: 3-pack Etekcity Remote Control Outlets $17, more appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

Tesla’s New “Instant Drive Away” Could Revolutionize Car Buying

As we anticipate a huge Q4 showing by Tesla, the automaker is working to further speed up its car buying experience.

We have little doubt that Tesla will post phenomenal December numbers to complete the quarter with a bang. While this is no different from the end of Q3, the stakes are much higher this quarter. Remember that Tesla pulled out all the stops in September in order to show a profit and prove short-sellers wrong. Based on our early estimates, and what we know about the upcoming situation, the Silicon Valley electric carmaker stands to beat its own records this month.

Yes, Tesla may still not hit these ridiculous and increasingly elongated goal posts that some detractors continue to push. However, for the only new, successful U.S. automaker with so much adversity and anticipated struggles, Tesla has made some huge waves that cannot be easily discounted.

Now, the automaker is working on a new delivery process that will take place in under five minutes. As Electrek reports, this is being coined “Instant Drive Away.” If you’ve recently purchased a new or used car, you know full well that you can be stuck at the dealership for several hours. Even if you have all your ducks in a row, it’s still usually a lengthy process. As you sit there waiting forever, you’re thinking to yourself that there’s absolutely no way this should be taking all dang day.

Some much-need background information:

I recently purchased two new cars (sadly not Teslas), and I almost found myself packing up my computer and leaving the dealership because I was so frustrated with the time spent. Our Editor-In-Chief Eric just grabbed up a used Chevy Volt and wasted nearly and entire day at the dealer, and for no reason! Keep in mind that was a whole day during which we struggle to get content out to our readers.

As it turns out, Tesla realizes this concern and is working to make its buying experience different and better. This is especially true if you’re buying an inventory car. Moreover, if you’re paying cash, leasing, or utilizing Tesla’s in-house financing, you can rest assured that the process will be lightning quick. However, Tesla has made it clear that those relying on outside financing may have to wait longer, which is understandable.

Have you bought a new car recently? How was the buying experience and the time at the dealership? Have you bought a new Tesla? Did you spend and exorbitant amount of time at the delivery center? Let us know in the comment section below.

Source: Electrek

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Protean Electric and partners make plans for mass production of in-wheel motors

In-wheel motor pioneer Protean Electric has announced a collaboration with intelligent mobility specialist Human Horizons and Wuxi Weifu e-Drive Technology (a joint venture formed by Weifu Group and Protean to manufacture the ProteanDrive Pd18) to develop and manufacture in-wheel motors.

The partners plan to build a production facility in China to deliver in-wheel motors at scale.

Ding Lei, Chairman of Human Horizons, called the collaboration “only the beginning of our long-term strategic cooperation. We plan to start with cars and over time develop further innovative mobility solutions. The advanced drive system and the unique location of the in-wheel motor in the vehicle deliver a game-changing driving experience and powerful data collection solution, integrated into the intelligent car.”

“Human Horizons have rich automotive engineering experience and are one of the strongest and most innovative teams in the industry,” said Chen Xuejun, Chairman of Weifu Group. “With more than 30 years of experience working across the industry, Weifu Group has deep experience in auto parts production, continuous manufacturing improvement, mature supply chain resources and the management and delivery of sustained investment in new technologies.”

Source: Protean Electric

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

Massachusetts extends EV rebate program, tightens eligibility requirements

The state of Massachusetts has announced that it will extend its electric vehicle rebate program through the middle of next year, while also tightening eligibility requirements.

Republican Governor Charlie Baker’s office announced that the popular MOR-EV program will now run through at least June 30, 2019.

Starting on January 1, the program will provide a $1,500 rebate only to battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles with a purchase price of $50,000 or below. Leased vehicles with a lease term of at least 36 months are also eligible.

Since 2014, the program has issued over $23 million in rebates for more than 11,000 cars, and has reduced the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 35,000 metric tons annually.

Massachusetts also plans to continue to support EV charging infrastructure through the VW Settlement Funds, the Department of Energy Resources’ Green Communities funds for municipalities and various utility-sponsored programs.

Source: Associated Press via E&E News

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

Tesla Working ‘Round The Clock To Deliver Cars Before Tax Credit Drops

Get in on the full tax credit while it lasts

The Tesla end-of-year sales push is now truly on.

Several times now, Tesla or Elon Musk has called attention to the fact that the full $7,500 tax credit for Teslas is soon to enter the phaseout stage. However, now we’ve got an official announcement straight from the automaker.

The difference here is that it’s a well-detailed explanation of the situation, the sales push (mainly applicable to the Tesla Model 3) and how it all works out. For example:

To help ensure vehicles are available, we’ve released all our fleet vehicles – like those used for test drives – and vehicles where the original customer can’t take delivery by the end of the year.

Grab a read in the full blog post from Tesla below:

Full $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit Expires in Under Two Weeks

The full $7,500 federal tax credit for Tesla customers ends in less than two weeks, and we’re doing everything we can to try to ensure those who order a vehicle today can take delivery by December 31st and take advantage of the savings. To help ensure vehicles are available, we’ve released all our fleet vehicles – like those used for test drives – and vehicles where the original customer can’t take delivery by the end of the year. Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy – and to do that, we need to get as many electric vehicles on the road as quickly as possible, which is why we are working around the clock to meet demand before the end of the year.

In addition to the $7,500 tax credit, a number of states offer other electric vehicle incentives for customers. These, combined with the reduced costs of charging your Tesla versus paying for gasoline and a lower overall cost of ownership, result in significant savings for customers and mean our vehicles are even more affordable than some may realize. For example, after factoring in estimated gas savings and government incentives, the effective price of a new Model 3 mid-range Rear Wheel Drive in California is $31,700. In addition to the federal EV tax credit, here are some other state and local/utility incentives you may not be aware of:

California offers a $2,500 state rebate, and PG&E offers an additional $800 rebate for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2019.

Connecticut customers are eligible for a $2,000 rebate for new Model 3 RWD vehicles, as well as exemption from state emissions testing and a reduced vehicle registration fee.

Massachusetts offers rebates up to $2,500 for new EV purchases.

New York offers rebates up to $2,000.

Colorado offers tax credits up to $5,000.

Pennsylvania offers rebates up to $1,750.

For the list of available state and local incentives and qualifications, visit https://www.tesla.com/support/incentives. To order a car online and take delivery by the end of the year, go to www.tesla.com or visit your nearest Tesla store for more information. You can order knowing that if you purchase a car without taking a test drive, you have three days to return it for a full refund.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Boring Company demonstrates first tunnel with a modified Tesla Model X

Some people see problems and complain about them on Facebook. When Elon Musk sees a problem, he starts a company to solve it. The Boring Company’s mission is to relieve traffic congestion via a two-part strategy: reducing the cost of boring tunnels and developing an autonomous transport system to move cars through the tunnels.

The company’s original vision involved an “electric skate” on which vehicles would be transported through the tunnel. It has now abandoned that idea, and developed “tracking wheels” that attach to a vehicle and allow it to ride on a pair of shelves along the sides of the tunnel. The Boring Company demonstrated the system this week in Los Angeles.

At the launch event, Musk said the tracking wheels could be added to a vehicle as an aftermarket product for “$200 to $300,” and could theoretically be installed on non-Tesla vehicles (although the vehicle needs to be an EV with autonomous capabilities, which makes a Tesla the only practical option at the moment).

Electrek was treated to a demonstration ride in a tracking wheel-equipped Model X. “While the wheels basically convert the Model X into a train, it was a surprisingly bumpy ride, which the company attributed to some experimentation with the shelves on each side of the tunnel,” writes Fred Lambert.

The company is also working on a next-generation boring machine, as well as several innovations to make tunneling simpler and cheaper. Musk said existing tunnel boring companies spend only about 10 minutes per hour actually boring – the rest of the time is spent installing tunnel reinforcements and dealing with dirt removal. He sees a potential 15x improvement in the speed of boring by designing a more efficient system.

The Boring Company also has an idea to compress the waste dirt into bricks that can be sold or given away and used to build structures – according to Musk, dirt removal can represent up to 15% of the total cost of a tunnel. Musk cited the pyramids and Sphinx of Egypt as examples of the possibilities, and the company demonstrated the technique by building a watchtower with bricks made from the dirt dug from the test tunnel.

Source: Electrek

Source: Electric Vehicles Magazine

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he will consider buying GM factory in Ohio as it shuts down next year

At the suggestion of Ohio Governor John Kasich, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that he will consider buying a GM factory in Ohio as it’s shut down next year. more…

The post Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he will consider buying GM factory in Ohio as it shuts down next year appeared first on Electrek.

Source: Charge Forward

VW Christmas Card Teases I.D. Electric Dune Buggy

Watch Tesla Model 3 Performance Race Chevy Corvette With Slicks

Tesla vehicles have completed 70% of the 1 million taxi rides at Amsterdam airport this year

Green Deals: 3-pack Etekcity Remote Control Outlets $17, more

Tesla’s New “Instant Drive Away” Could Revolutionize Car Buying

Protean Electric and partners make plans for mass production of in-wheel motors

Massachusetts extends EV rebate program, tightens eligibility requirements

Tesla Working ‘Round The Clock To Deliver Cars Before Tax Credit Drops

Boring Company demonstrates first tunnel with a modified Tesla Model X

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he will consider buying GM factory in Ohio as it shuts down next year

Cost Effective EV Charging

Guess what might be comin’ to town.

Slicks versus road tires

As we anticipate a huge Q4 showing by Tesla, the automaker is working to further speed up its car buying experience.

Some much-need background information:

Get in on the full tax credit while it lasts

Full $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit Expires in Under Two Weeks

Cost Effective EV Charging